Attractions information

Lop Buri

Lop Buri Province is located approximately 155 kilometers north of Bangkok and lies on the east bank of the Lopburi River.

Lopburi is famous for its Khmer monuments, for the troops of monkeys who roam the streets of the old part of the city and for the panoramic sunflower fields at year?�?s end.
Formerly known as Lawo, Lop Buri had for centuries been ruled by several Kingdoms. The remains of Lop Buri, dating over 1,200 years attests to the strategic significance of Lop Buri to many rulers.

Today the city is most famous for the hundreds of Crab-Eating Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that live in the middle of the city, especially around the Khmer temple, Prang Sam Yot, and a Khmer shrine, Sarn Phra Karn. They are fed by the local people, especially during the Monkey Festival in November. Because they are not afraid of humans, they steal whatever food they can find from unwary diners.

The Khmer Mahayana Buddhism style was a major influence on the towns architecture and was later commonly referred to as Lop Buri Style. Remains of Khmer Hindu architectural motifs found in the city include the Shivas Shrine (Prang Khaek), San Phra Kan, Phra Prang Sam Yot, and Wat Phra Si Mahathat.

From November to January vast areas of Lop Buri are ablaze with colour from the sunflowers grown here.

Important Information
The monkeys here are adept at thievery and will take anything which is not secure, including handbags, hats, caps, cameras and mobile phones. If you lose something to the monkeys you will not get it back, so please make sure that your valuables are safely tucked away and that you use the wrist strap on your camera.

Attractions information

Ayutthaya Sacred City

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya "The Sacred City of Ayutthaya" was founded in 1351 and reached its apex in the 16th century. It is an island embraced by three rivers, the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak.

In the Golden Age which lasted 417 years, Ayutthaya was the historic capital of Thailand.
The territory of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya extended far beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. During the 17th century, foreign visitors, traders and diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. That ended forever in 1767 when it was conquered by the Burmese and completely destroyed.

Nowadays, visitors to Ayutthaya, which is only 86 kilometers north of Bangkok, can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island. The temple compounds are still awe-inspiring even in disrepair and a visit here is memorable and a good beginning for those drawn to the relics of history.

The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer, or ancient Cambodian style, and early Sukhothai style.

Most importantly, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, an extensive historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.